Move Music Festival has announced the 2023 return of the one day event in Albany, to be held on Saturday, April 29.
The day will start at The Fuze Box with things kicking off at 12noon featuring performances by Black Belt Jones, Ike’s Wasted World, The Frozen Heads, and Trebled Youth.
During the later afternoon, there will be performances showcasing the talent of a number of local solo artists at various locations on Lark Street and Madison Avenue.
Move Music Festival will then complete a full day, 12 straight hours of music, with an evening show at Lark Hall, featuring 2023 NYS Music March Madness winners Seize Atlantis, as well as Embe Esti, and The Sugar Hold.
Move Music Festival is sponsored by Albany Distilling Co., Nine Pin Cider Works, Everyday Art, Eden’s Rose Foundation, and Imprint Universe, without whom the event is able to make its triumphant return to Albany.
The City of Albany announced the 75th annual Tulip Festival will take place on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 in Washington Park, featuring many notable New York State artists and headliners Guster, American Authors, and more.
The Albany Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring nearly one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, delicious food trucks, the KidZone family fun destination, three world-class live entertainment stages, a brand new wellness stage with free dance classes, and more than 248,000 tulips in 175 different varieties. The festival will bring many genres from across the state and beyond performing on multiple stages for the many people that attend.
Saturday, May 13
Main Stage, Washington Park Parade Grounds
1:30 p.m. – Precious Metals is a solo project led by Troy native singer-songwriter J Lee White, featuring a band of established local musicians including Mateo Vosganian (drums), Jesse Bolduc (bass), and Chase Keener (keys, guitar). The band’s high-energy alt-rock sound pulls from the early 2000s emo explosion and 2010s indie rock revival.
3:00 p.m. – Karina Rykman has garnered a lot of attention and avid listenership through her playing of the bass, singing, and enjoying herself through her performances, like jumping and dancing while she sings. Her music straddles the worlds of jam rock and indie pop with touches of psychedelia. She has only released six singles so far but continues to be an unmissable live act.
4:30 p.m. – Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston founded in 1991. They are known for their unique style of live shows with notable humor and touches of their own tastes. The band is comprised of Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel, formed when they did band practices at Tufts University.
Local 518 Stage, Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
1:00 p.m. – Space Trash is a local quartet combining rhythm, blues, rock, funk, and pop originals.
2:15 p.m. – Frank Palangi is an indie rock recording artist from Upstate New York, reigniting the fuel on a genre that refuses to die. He has received numerous awards, including Best In the Region for Glens Falls and Albany areas, the national unsigned-only competition finals, radio artist of the year (radio wigwam), and an LA Music Award single Nomination.
3:30 p.m – OHZHE is a hip-hop artist from Albany, bringing his charisma and versatility to the stage, connecting with his audience through his reliability and vulnerability. He looks to inspire his city with his lyrics, perspective, and lifestyle.
4:45 p.m. – T.V. Doctors are a trio from Upstate New York comprised of Bob Morris, Acoustic & Electric Drums, Josh Witmer, Guitar, Guitar Synth, Keys, Samples, and Evan Conway, Bass, Bass Synth, and Keys.
Albany Tulip Festival.
Sunday, May 14
Starting off the day from 9-10 a.m. is the annual Yoga Fest on the Main Stage. The event is free, but those who wish to attend must register here.
Main Stage
1:30 p.m. – The Age is a project of Adrian Lewis, who makes music so the audience can get a glimpse of how he sees the world, through fragments of introspection and humility. He touches on themes of insecurity, devotion, heartache, and more.
3:00 p.m. – Eastbound Jesus doesn’t fit into one genre, they shred on the banjo, play ballads, and make you jump to their fast-paced rocking tunes in what they call “Northern rock.” Everything they do comes from a real, genuine place that makes for a sound all their own.
4:45 p.m. – American Authors are a New York-based pop-rock band that has accomplished what many bands dream of doing, having their music climb to the top of the charts and singles go multi-platinum. Their single “Best Day of My Life” has been featured in over 600 movie trailers, commercials, and TV shows, also appearing as the theme song for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. American Authors has played award shows and hit the stages of legendary venues all over the world.
Local 518 Stage
1:00 p.m. – Caity and the Gallaghers are the full band iteration of the folk singer-songwriter Caity Gallagher, joined by the talented bassist Ben Woodul, pianist Dan DeKalb, and percussionist John Morris. Compared to a modern combination of The Cranberries and Jackson Browne, she elevates melodic, emotional, and lyrical expression in her music.
2:15 p.m. – Glass Pony is an Albany collective that plays a variety of genres spanning multiple decades from psychedelic and jam-focused rock to funk, post-punk, and more. The band offers a sound that truly translates through generations with a stylistic blend that engages a broad listenership, with the focus squarely set on delivering captivating live performances
3:30 p.m. – Nickopotamus combines elements of jam, funk, rock, punk, groove, and zydeco to provide the listener with an exciting experience that will have them singing along. Hailing from Albany, the four-piece is led by singer/songwriter/ guitarist Nick Souder, with Andy Flemming on Bass, Dave Pemrick on Drums, and Kate Beauvais on Aux Percussion.
4:45 p.m. – DJ HollyW8D, originally from Brooklyn, is an influencer who curates shows for independent artists and hosts a radio segment on WCDB 90.9 FM. He energized crowds throughout the Upstate New York Capital Region and believes music brings joy, energy, nostalgia, and good vibes. His latest venture is titled #MoreMusicLessViolence which is a community concert series focused on bringing creatives of all ages together along with community members through positive music.
For more information about the Albany Tulip Festival, visit here.
Following up on her successful Dead of Winter Residency singer-songwriter and classically trained harpist Mikaela Davis will be playing a Here Comes Sunshine Residency in May at Upstate locations like Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, and more.
Mikaela Davis, photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage.
Mikaela Davis is a native of Rochester, navigating folk, rock, and chamber pop in her music. She emerged in the early 2010s showcasing her harp skills with solo covers of indie singer/songwriters, producing her debut album Delivery in 2018. At age eight she began studying classical harp at the Crane School of Music, writing her own songs after that, and touring whenever she wasn’t in school. Since her debut, she has released several singles, including August’s release of “Left Hand Path,” and has shared the stage with Bob Weir, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, and more. She also performs with her band Southern Star, recently recording at the Relix Studio in New York City, releasing an exclusive Relix Studios vinyl.
Davis recently announced she will be playing a Here Comes Sunshine Residency in May in multiple Upstate cities like Ithaca, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, with additional one-off shows in Burlington, VT, and the Rochester Lilac Festival. All residency shows will feature two sets, a mixture of original & Grateful Dead songs. Along with the announcement of these shows, Davis says a brand new album is in the works, to be announced at a later date.
For more information about Mikaela Davis and to buy tickets to her Here Comes Sunshine Residency, visit here.
Mikaela Davis Residency Shows
5/2 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/3 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show] 5/4 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/5 – Burlington VT – Burlington, VT [Residency Show] 5/7 – Ithaca NY [Residency Show] 5/8 – Ithaca NY [Residency Show] 5/9 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/10 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show] 5/11 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/15 – Rochester NY – Lilac Festival 5/16 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/18 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/19 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show]
It was a birthday party like no other on Saturday, March 25th, as members of the Trey Anastasio Band and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead joined forces as LaMP to light up Lark Hall in Albany. The memorable evening of stellar improvisation and infectious grooves was extra special for the venue’s owner, Jennifer Miller. That’s because many of her nearest and dearest friends helped pack the place to capacity in celebration of her turning 50 years young.
FUNGKSHUI kicked off the party at Lark Hall on Saturday, March 25, 2023
Kicking off the festivities with a high energy, fun-fueled set was Asbury Park, NJ young bloods FUNGKSHUI. Pronounced “funk-shway,” the exciting upstarts made the most of the opportunity to share the stage with a few of their musical heroes. Comprised of Jack Reed (guitar), Max Vitale (guitar), Jon Scheps (bass), and Kyle Donovan (drums), the psychedelic funk quartet had Lark Hall moving and grooving from the beginning.
FUNGKSHUI performing at Lark Hall in Albany, NY 3/25/23
With two powerhouse guitar players and an incredibly tight rhythm section, the young band showcased a musical maturity well beyond their years. With irresistible hooks, dynamic soloing, and plenty of room left for improvisation, songs like “Orange Cadillac,” “Sinkhole” and “Blue Rat Bastard” highlighted the set. Clearly grateful to be there, afterwards the band members stuck around to chat with new fans and hand out free stickers, while also managing to create quite a buzz about their upcoming appearance at the nearby Rye Bread Music Festival later this summer. With their debut album also on the way, we expect to hear a lot more from this talented group in the very near future.
Ray Paczkowski, Scott Metzger & Russ Lawton performing together as LaMP at Lark Hall on 3/25/23
After a rain-soaked intermission dampened many a spliff, the party reignited inside with a special performance from the recently revived trio known as LaMP. Made up of Soule Monde/TAB members Russ Lawton on drums and organist Ray “The Milkman” Paczkowski, the time-tested duo was joined by Joe Russo’s Almost Dead/WOLF! guitarist Scott Metzger. The band gets takes its name from the first letters of each members’ surname. Originally debuting in 2018 at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, LaMP released their debut album in the summer of 2020 and to date has only played a handful of gigs together, making each appearance a bit of a novelty and a “can’t miss” affair.
Opening their set with a funky rendition of the title track from 2021’s Mimi Digs It, Metzger immediately fits right in with the guys from Soule Monde. Tastefully adding guitar textures and subtle melodies to the otherwise drum and organ instrumentals, The Milkman, as always, pulled double duty by supplying the bass lines on the lower deck of his vintage Hammond organ. All warmed up and full of smiles, LaMP then cooked up something fresh for the curious cats who still weren’t sure what the band was all about. Pro-shot footage of “Out of Curiosity” has been posted on the band’s Facebook page at the link below, courtesy of our friends at Mirth Films.
Ray Paczkowski, Scott Metzger & Russ Lawton performing together as LaMP at Lark Hall on 3/25/23
The avant-groove compositions continued on with “Hit Return,” “Ollie ‘ 88” and “Hey Francis.” Each song undeniably groovy and each with a different feel, every member had ample opportunity to shine and empty their bag of musical tricks. Following “Seven Days” came one of the biggest highlights of the set in the form of “Q Division.” It was here where guitarist Scott Metzger really let things rip, playing off Paczkowski’s funky Clavinet lines and launching into one of the biggest shreds of the evening. Afterwards, an excited Paczkowski would get on the mic and tell everyone how much he loves playing improvisational music with these guys and that it was for moments just like that. Lightning in a bottle.
Scott Metzger performing with LaMP at Lark Hall on 3/25/23
LaMP would continue socking it to the Lark Hall faithful with “Sock Full,” then an extra greasy rendition of “Bernard,” which saw drummer Russ Lawton in complete command behind the kit. Showcasing a wealth of styles and versatility while diving in-and-out of groove pockets with a cool confidence, Lawton would use every inch of his instrument, at one point even banging on the side walls of his kit, cross-sticking it to great effect yielding a huge pop from the crowd.
LaMP’s Russ Lawton got sound from every inch of the drum kit on 3/25/23
The bumping progression of “Elsie’s River” came next, followed by “Allah Uya,” which had the entire room moving and grooving to the world-beat. “Clipse Dog” would then bring the main portion of the show to a close and leave the audience hollering for more. Happy to oblige, the LaMP trio returned to the stage with some very kind words about the venue, its staff, and to wish it’s owner a very happy 50th birthday. “Tinyland” was chosen as the night’s only encore.
LaMP packed the house at Lark Hall on 3/25/23
Truly masters of the craft, the years of experience and chemistry between these three talented musicians is something rarely seen in a live setting. Seamlessly blending together a myriad of styles and creating a sound that simply couldn’t be replicated by anyone else, it was another special night of music at Lark Hall and a birthday party The Millers will never forget. Not only does Brick Tamland love LaMP, it’s safe to say Albany does too.
Up next, the guys will head downstate for a performance at Brooklyn Bowl on March 30th before returning to Burlington for a pair of sold out shows at Nectar’s this weekend. With each member of the group balancing extremely busy touring schedules with their “other” bands, there’s no telling when fans will get another chance to see LaMP light it up again. If you have the opportunity, I would highly suggest going to see this incredible act while you still can. For those unable to make the trip, free livestreams of both Nectar’s gigs will be available via Volume.com.
LaMP | March 25, 2023 | Albany, NY | Lark Hall
Setlist: Mimi Digs It, Out of Curiosity, Hit Return, Ollie ’88, Hey Francis, Seven Days, Q Division, Sock Full, Bernard, Elsie’s River*, Alla Uya**, Clipse Dog Encore: Tinyland
*Abdullah Ibrahim cover **Ali Farka Toure cover
FUNGKSHUI:
LaMP (Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger and Ray Paczkowski):
The Palace Theatre and Building on Love are partnering to present The Frank White Experience and special guest DJ TGIF live in the Palace Lobby on April 1, starting at 7 p.m.
Six-year-old Ezekiel McLean was always a happy, upbeat, loving, and supportive child. One day his parents received the news that he has stage 4 kidney cancer, and their world has been upside down ever since. To pay the medical costs, the Palace Theatre’s Community Engagement Initiative is hosting a fundraiser with Building on Love and all the proceeds will be used to support the McLean Family. Building on Love is a local non-profit with a mission of helping families in the community who have had their life altered by supporting a loved one with a recent life-altering medical diagnosis by giving them financial access to care and housing so they can focus on the health of their loved ones.
“Childhood cancer is a battle that no one should have to go through. As if the emotional toll was not enough, the financial toll on the families can be crippling,” said Kevin Johnson, Executive Director of the Palace Theatre. “We are pleased to be able to offer our space, time, and energy to be able to help the McLean family in any way possible.” The benefit will take place at the Palace Theatre, Albany’s iconic downtown landmark, bringing in the biggest names in entertainment to the Capital Region for the past eight decades. Built in 1931, it was originally for vaudeville acts, and feature films, becoming a civic auditorium before closing its doors in 1969. The mission of the Palace is to bring world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region, greatly enhancing the area’s cultural and economic development.
The Frank White Experience is the genre leader in live Hip Hop tribute bands, bringing the sounds of NOTORIOUS B.I.G. and live instrumentation to the listener’s ears. FWE not only covers the music of Biggie Smalls but takes listeners on a journey back through the beloved soundscape of 1990s Hip Hop and R&B, sharing the stage with Rakim, Styles P, Lil Kim, Fat Joe, C.J. Wallace, Havoc, DJ Enuff, Sway Calloway, Lil Cease, Klept, and many more. Featured at the concert is DJ TGIF aka Craig Earle, one of Upstate New York’s most in-demand DJs, performing regularly to both late-night sold-out crowds and family-friendly events alike. He was recently awarded the honor of the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40.
Tickets to attend the benefit performance are $30 (Standard Admission) and $50 (VIP), on sale now at the Palace Theatre Box Office and online.
It was an electrifying night of sonic diversity, high-octane improv and jaw dropping prog-inspired grooves on March 23rd when homegrown Albany rock-fusion favorites Timbre Coup and buzz-worthy Colorado up-and-comers Squeaky Feet teamed up for a rowdy Thursday night throw down at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. The show was presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions.
Albany prog-rockers Timbre Coup made their triumphant return home to The Hollow on 3/23/23
Putting their best foot forward, the exciting evening of music kicked off with a stellar set from Squeaky Feet. The talented quintet comprised of Colin Shore (guitar/vocals), Greg King (guitar), Jimmy Finnegan (bass/vocals), Brian Keller (keyboards/sax/flute/vocals), and Kevin D’Angelo (drums) originally formed while attending Berklee College of Music and have seen a steady growth since relocating to Denver, CO in 2018. Holding it together through the pandemic and arguably growing even tighter because of it, the band has been hitting the road hard since the return of live music.
Colorado jammers Squeaky Feet made their Albany debut at The Hollow on 3/23/23
Opening with a tune called “Chance to Grow,” the technical prowess of each member of the band was on display early. Blurring the lines between psychedelic funk jams, intricate jazz rock fusion, and at points just downright metal, the vibe got comfortably spacey on a fully realized rendition of “Outer Ring.”Making a bit of a return to his old stomping grounds, between songs guitarist Colin Shore, formerly of Mister F, a side project of Timbre Coup, would take a moment to say how nice it was to see so many of the old 518 music family in attendance.
Sneaky Feet guitarist Colin Shore got his start in Albany with Mr. F, a side project of Timbre Coup
Now humbly wearing the colors of his new band, presumably because he’s out of clean clothes from being on tour, Shore dug deep on the next tune “Shovelware,” leading the charge through the songs unique arrangements and head-banging peaks.
Squeaky Feet multi-instrumentalist Brian Kelle had his hands full at The Hollow on 3/23/23
With time left for just one more, multi-instrumentalist Brian Keller would impress with his dexterity, busting out both a saxophone and a flute while simultaneously playing the keyboards during the course of the epic 16-minute “Little Bit Further” set closer. You can check out fan shot video of that in the clip below, or listen to the soundboard of the entire set on nugs.net. Immediately following this tour, Squeaky Feet will return to the studio to finish up recording their highly anticipated debut album. If the songs played in Albany are any indication, there is a lot to look forward to from this promising young band.
After a brief break in the action, fans rushed in from the rain the moment local hometown prog rockers Timbre Coup took the stage. That’s because longtime followers of the band know that every time they play together is a rare and special occasion. Originally formed in the small village of Altamont just outside of Albany, the charismatic quartet has gained a reputation for throwing one hell of a live show. Once a band that toured around the country and always on the cusp of breaking out, in recent years the band has been laying low and picking their spots. Consisting of Dan Gerken (guitar, bass, vocals), Andrew Chamberlaine (guitar), and brothers Ben (bass /guitar) and Matt Pickering (drums), on this Thursday night in Albany, Timbre Coup came out of the gates ready to party and have a good time. You could see on it on all of their faces.
Timbre Coup rocked the 518 faithful to their core on 3/23/23
Showcasing their complex and unique sound from the start, crossing somewhere between progressive rock and psychedelic jamtronica, the signature duel-guitar “improg” style has been a calling card of Timbre Coup ever since forming in 2007. A bit of a Gregorian theme started taking shape early as the opening song “January” soon turned the calendar over to “May.” From there we got our first cover of the set with Gerken channeling his inner Josh Homme for a spot on ride through the Queens of the Stone Age smash hit “No One Knows.” Armed with considerable chops and plenty of natural showmanship, Gerken and Ben Pickering then traded off instruments with each other, swapping bass for guitar and going headfirst into a lengthy “Verbal Kint” jam before returning to theme with “July” and then “October.”
Dan Gerken pulled doubly duty on 3/23/23, frequently switching between bass and lead guitar
Pushing the music in a heavier direction was fan favorite “Arnold Schwarzeneggar,” which saw even the oldest fans in the room throwing down through the songs pummeling peak. After “Bunnies,” Timbre Coup would give proper thanks to the fans who came out on a rainy Thursday, the promoter and their former manager Greg Bell, and local artist Shanti Payne who did the beautiful gig poster for the show and was also in attendance doing live sketches.
Timber Coup’s Ben Pickering lays down the low end at The Hollow on 3/23/23
Up next came perhaps the longest jam of the single set show, “Z#” off the bands most recent studio album, 2021’s Sudden Urge. The band would then jam their way back into the monthly theme and appropriately enoughm finally land on “March,” bringing the main portion of the performance to a close. After a little begging from the hometown faithful, the guys came back out to deliver a stellar version of one of their oldest and most beloved compositions, sending the audience home happy and sweaty with fully funked out version of “I Didn’t Know She Had a Mustache.”
Timbre Coup performing at The Hollow on 3/23/23
Just starting to rediscover their stride and clearly having fun jamming on older originals, up next Timbre Coup plans to do some recording for the remainder of March and into April. Their next scheduled gig comes on June 8th at Nanola in Malta, NY. Later this summer the band will take part in the annual GEM Arts and Music Festival in Glens Falls.
Squeaky Feet | March 23, 2023 | Albany, NY – The Hollow Setlist: Chance to Grow, Outer Ring, Shovelware, Little Bit Further
Timbre Coup | March 23, 2023 | Albany, NY – The Hollow
Setlist: January, May, No One Knows (QOTSA cover), Verbal Kint>Jam>July, October, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Bunnies, Z#, Jam>March
13 downtown historic performing arts centers from Jamestown to Poughkeepsie have come together to form Alive Downtowns! The coalition, having met virtually since the start of the pandemic, is seeking $20 million in operating support from the state.
Bardavon, photo by Tim Lee.
Alive Downtowns! main goal is to encourage the lawmakers of New York to think of historic theatres in the same way they do aquariums and zoos, which are shown to have a significant public benefit. It is an affiliate corporation to the Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame, established eight years ago in response to the creation of casinos in the eastern and southern tiers of the state.
Ulster Performing Arts Center, photo by Em Walis.
The historic theatres of Upstate New York are essential to each city’s urban education opportunities, economic viability, and continuing attractiveness. John Parkhurst, Chief Operating Officer of the Rochester Broadway Theatre League commented, “The COVID-19 shutdown of nearly two years has impacted us greatly as an industry. We are coming back, all of us, but, frankly without this coalition it would have been much harder.” The coalition is helping these places become recognized, and be bettered.
Proctors Theatre interior, photographed by Erica Miller.
These facilities combined have an average age of nearly 100 years and are keystones to the downtown areas of the cities they are in. They serve over 5 million people annually including thousands of students. Their economic impacts for upstates major downtowns exceed $350 million and their aggregate budgets exceed $100 million.
The Smith Center for the Arts, photo by Joe Booth.
In a meeting with local legislators and the Governor’s office, the response has been very supportive. The coalition is grateful for that response and hopes to reach all state elected officials to assure an annual appropriation that will allow its members to continue to be part of growing upstate downtowns guaranteeing accessibility for all citizens for years to come.
The Stanley Theatre.
Chris Silva, long-time Executive Director of the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie added, “This group of performing arts centers are economic, educational, and cultural engines in Upstate. We are hoping the state can make a modest investment in us that will pay huge dividends.” Upon meeting with local legislators and the Governor’s office, the response has been very supportive for the coalition’s efforts.
Frank Zappa fans unite! The Furious Bongos are bringing their spring tour to Upstate New York this weekend. The band has shows scheduled for Saturday, March 25 at The Linda in Albany and Sunday, March 26 at The Westcott Theater in Syracuse.
Photo Credit – Colleen Brady
Billed as “A bunch of professional musicians with pretty diverse backgrounds…” the band boasts an impressive and talented nine member lineup. Originally hailing from Southern Wisconsin, the band is embarking on a nine date tour spanning the northeast. While the band’s primary focus is to deliver musical renditions from the Frank Zappa catalog, the band promises to deliver “a show that pays respect to Zappa’s legacy, but is still new and different and dangerous and FUN, with lots of eyebrows”.
Tickets for each show start at $20. Don’t hesitate to grab your tickets for what promises to be a fun filled musical evening.
Albany psychedelic rock band Ampevene has just put out their newest single “The Chemistress” on March 7th. The band recommends listening to the single with headphones as the mixing was planned to give the song an almost 3D feel to it.
Ampevene is an experimental fusion of original progressive rock, psychedelic, and other genres. Based out of Albany, the band has opened for nationally touring acts such as Moon Hooch, Consider The Source, Flux Capacitor, and Aqueous. “The Chemistress” was inspired by rock bands such as The Mars Volta, Black Midi, Tool, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Comprised of Gabe Stallman (guitar and vocals), Mack Hogan (bass), Ava Smith (keys and synth), and Brian McKinney Fahey (drums), Ampevene has played in some of the region’s best venues including Larkfest, The Hollow, and Putnam Den in the Capital Region, The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, and Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse.
“The Chemistress” is a pure listening and visceral experience, Ampevene blends a free form frenzy, jagged riffs, and hypnotic rhythms into a tight, psychedelic, sonic landscape, designed to trip up and trip out any listener. Ampevene draws their influence from renowned artists such as Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, TOOL, Mastodon, King Crimson, John Frusciante, and more, yet somehow manages to create something completely unique for their listeners.
During a performance, Ampevene will take you through a transcendent experience of sounds ranging from soft floating grooves to heavy math based confusion, and even downright noise, yet somehow the complexity doesn’t obscure the pure emotion, and even comfort that the songs exude. They released their first full length album, Ephemagoria, in 2018.
To listen to “The Chemistress,” click the link here.
And then there were four: welcome to the Final Four of NYS Music March Madness 2023, featuring up and coming bands from around New York State, all coming to a local music venue near you.
For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition is the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 4 here.
Enter your email address, get to know the bands, and vote for your favorites below!
[forminator_form id="404413"]
Yard Amphitheater Region Winner
Mainline
Mainline officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming. You can find Mainline on April 15 at The Chance Theater.
Straight from the band:
“We are just excited to have been asked to be part of this year’s March Madness competition, and now to make it into the final four! It’s been a great way to engage with our own fans, also to promote ourselves and everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who has been voting!”
Mainline
Funk n Waffles Region Winner
The Forest Dwellers
The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here. The Forest Dwellers are playing Sterling Folkfest in Sterling, NY dates May 25th- 29th. As well as The Family Hoedown at the G Lodge in Hannibal, NY dates June 9th-11th. You can also catch them playing every Wednesday in June at Abilene Bar and Lounge in Rochester as part of their first residency.
Straight from the band:
“We’re very excited to have made it into the final four of the NYS Music March Madness! We didn’t anticipate it happening but we’re just incredibly grateful for all the support. Over the last 5 and a half years we’ve had the pleasure to play music over the greater NYS region, and we hope to receive more opportunities to continue doing what we love. Thanks to NYS Music Magazine, the sponsors, venues and all the contributing bands. Much Love.”
The Forest Dwellers
Jane Dough Region Winner
Murder in Rue Morgue
Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. On the news front, Murder in Rue Morgue are representing the 315 metal scene, and are soon releasing their brand new single and music video for “Blood Song”. Listen to their 2019 album Endless Cycles here.
Straight from the band:
“Throughout New York there are tons of incredible bands and it is an honor to be part of this bracket! We are excited to see all the scene coming together and supporting each other! Together we flourish! Every week that has gone by we’ve listened to so many new artists and did some deep dives and research on our opponents. Genuinely incredible. We are also very excited about the possibility of playing at new venues in the state, many places we haven’t heard of.
We are grateful to be here, we are driven to keep going, and we respect and love all these wonderful musicians from all over New York State! “
Murder in Rue Morgue
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region Winner
Seize Atlantis
Seize Atlantis has a unique, tight sound fueled by punchy bass, hard-driving percussion, melodic lead guitar, and pronounced moody vocals with meaningful lyrics, a truly dynamic range of soft to heavy Alternative Rock. Formed in 2019 out of Glens Falls, Seize Atlantis is a four-piece band most closely influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, providing their own spin on a variety of covers from classic rock to modern pop in addition to their own original music.
Catch them this Friday and Saturday at Scally’s Roadside Bar and Grill in Hudson Falls NY and Pauly’s Hotel in Albany, respectively.
Straight from the band:
“We couldn’t be more grateful and excited to have reached the Final Four of NYS Music March Madness! We’ve been up against some truly amazing and talented bands, and this competition has shown a light on how many quality performers there are in New York. We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this state’s independent music scene! We look forward to competing with some legitimate powerhouses this round, and even if we don’t win we will continue to support and collaborate with as many other independent artists and prestigious venues as possible. We also can’t wait to release our new EP this summer!”
Seize Atlantis
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NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023.
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
